Mission Statement

THE CAST IRON VEGGIE:
Motto:
Kindness matters. Choices matter.

Description:
A solo venture that uses the mediums of text, video, and photography as well as one-on-one and group discussions (classes, broadcast media and online) to educate people about healthier foods, sustainable cookware (cast-iron,) and the benefits of backyard chickens. By focusing on these smaller choices I hope to create a world that’s healthier for its current and future residents.

Mission Statement:
Promoting the health and welfare of people, animals, and the environment through the choices we make in our home kitchens.

Noteworthy Quotes:
“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” Michael Pollan
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” Dalai Lama XIV

Well, that seems lofty. And unattainable. My husband says I have the annoying habit of wanting to be 200% accurate in all things and I tell him it is impossible to be more than 100% accurate in anything (sheesh) so how can I attain my mission when I’m dealing with ingredients that are bigger than me? There’s just so many global and human history issues wrapped up in my mission.

So, let’s try and bring some humor into this. And if it’s not funny, let’s at least see if I can bring forth some deep-hearted musings.

This all started because I couldn’t find a book on vegetarian cast iron cooking. For some reason I was moved to create a cookbook and four years later the publisher said, “Great idea, but you’re not famous. Get a following first,” and now I’m wanting to save the world?

Wait. I’ve always wanted to save the world. That is at the core of everything I do. (Even though I realized long ago it is unlikely I will “save” the world. Unless I pilot the spaceship that will deflect the impending asteroid of doom.)

So how do I promote foods that are healthy for the planet (think diesel for shipping) when I educate on using coconuts that likely don’t grow in the U.S.?
Do I really think I can change the world by getting people to buy cast iron? It’s a non-disposable product that doesn’t off-gas, but will promoting it actually teach people to stop buying throw-away products thereby reducing the resources lost to landfills?
What about the other kitchen equipment I’m recommending? Do I know how the employees that made it were treated?
Can me promoting kindness to chickens really transform how our country treats livestock animals that grow up in the brutalities of factory farms?

Such challenging questions. Let’s not worry about a mission. Let’s just cook. In a home kitchen. With foods that are healthier than my generation grew up on. Perhaps it’s time to film the video on how to make Chocolate Torte. A slice of that is better than a shot of whiskey. Hey, maybe that should be the motto, “A slice of chocolate torte is better than a shot of whiskey.” Yeah, I like that…